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SHORTLIST VINTAGE FILM OF 1986

Spanning centuries, continents and galaxies, the 1986 VFA shortlist is certainly an eclectic group of films. One element appears repeatedly, however: lip-synching. This being the year Cindy Crawford began as a model, perhaps filmmakers hoped a signature mark would draw attention to their art? Whatever the reason, it worked: the words spoken by the performers in their own voices are still remembered 30 years later. Here are the VFA-shortlisted films from 1986:

Top Gun

In Top Gun, men don’t wear pink or have preppy nicknames; they wear green and have bad-ass call signs: Maverick. Cougar. Iceman. Viper. And just like the hotshot pilots onscreen, the filmmakers ooze confidence in the opening scene’s subtitle: “Indian Ocean. Present Day.” Meaning, “Not 1986, but whenever you happen to be watching this, there are insanely good-looking men defending you against the commies.” (And they do their own singing.) Perhaps the most-quotable film in history, Top Gun convinced a lot of guys to enlist – and even more to start hitting the gym.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

30 years after James Dean, Ferris Bueller redefined (and refined) rebellion: Stealing a Ferrari to visit an art museum, dine on pancreas, and attend a cultural parade – all while remaining an angel in his parents’ eyes? A high school senior without a car or a letter jacket, Ferris teaches us all of the right reasons to be popular. Homages to the film’s minor characters – Ben Stein’s teacher, Charlie Sheen’s delinquent, Edie McClurg’s secretary – return to our screens year after year (recognize anyone in Stranger Things?), but there’s never been another Ferris.

Pretty in Pink

With girls named Andy and Benny, boys named Steff and Duckie, and the most epic fail of a lip-synching serenade in history. If nothing else, this film helped normalize Eighties androgyny and those weekly outings to see Rocky Horror. Watching high schoolers talk openly about class differences, then asking Andrew Dice Clay for advice, we are reminded how truly confusing it is to be a teenager.

Aliens

The second half of possibly the best one-two punch in cinematic history, Ellen Ripley’s adventures took science fiction, horror, and women of action from the world of the “B movie” to the world of the red carpet. Such a perfect blend of acting, action and special effects is rarely seen, especially with a budget of only $18 million (compare to $25 million for The Golden Child that same year) – but like Ripley in this sequel, Aliens faces more than one tough competitor for a VFA.

Stand by Me

It was the summer of ’59. In search of a dead body (and local glory), four pre-teen boys of widely varying size and disposition march into the wilderness and discover they have many things in common – including dysfunctional families, a love of vomit jokes, and hatred for the local high school gang leader Ace (Kiefer Sutherland at age 19). Based on a Stephen King novella with a different title and a (slightly) less happy ending.

Director: Rob Reiner

Starring: Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton

Major nominations on original release : Academy Award® for Best Adapted Screenplay